Labour slams SNP “vandalism” as new figures show bus services collapsing
Organisation: Scottish Labour
Type: Press Release
Date: 10 August 2023

Labour slams SNP “vandalism” as new figures show bus services collapsing

Labour has today (Thursday August 10) revealed shocking new statistics that show local bus services in Scotland have collapsed by 38 per cent since the SNP took over Holyrood in 2007.

Scottish Labour leader Anas Sarwar and Labour's Shadow Transport Secretary Louise Haigh slated the SNP's record on buses ahead of a visit to Rutherglen and Hamilton West.

Labour's analysis revealed that over 1,200 bus routes have been lost between 2007 and 2023, including 160 in the last year alone.

Communities are set to be hit by even more cuts following the bombshell news that First Bus Glasgow is axing 11 vital night-bus routes later this month, including several serving Rutherglen and Hamilton.

However communities are powerless to act to stop decisions like these, as SNP Ministers have failed to enact crucial franchising legislation which would allow Councils to take back control over services.

The Transport (Scotland) Act 2019 introduced bus franchising powers – however almost four years on the SNP has still not enacted this part of the Act.

Scottish Labour has pledged to fix Britain's broken bus system by putting control over services back into the hands of the communities that depend on them.

Scottish Labour leader Anas Sarwar said:

“Bus routes in Scotland are collapsing while the SNP is standing idly by.

“For almost four years now the SNP has delayed giving Councils the power they need to take control of local services and put an end this decline.

“This failure will do lasting damage to our communities, our economy, and our planet. 

“It's time to help councils bring buses back into public hands so we can run services for people instead of profits and deliver the reliable, affordable services we need.”

Louise Haigh, Labour's Shadow Secretary of State for Transport, said:

“The staggering decline in local bus services under the SNP is nothing short of vandalism against communities in Scotland.

“The Scottish Government has the power to change this, but the SNP have dragged their feet and refused to act, even as communities have been robbed of essential services.

“Scottish Labour would put passengers first by supporting communities to take back control over their bus services.”

ENDS

Notes

Local Bus Services in Scotland Since 2007 

Loss of Bus Routes in Scotland 

    
   

2022/23 

1970 

Link

    

2021/22 

2130 

Link

    

2020/21 

2153 

Link

    

2019/20 

2963 

Link

    

2018/19 

3055 

Link

    

2017/18 

3095 

Link

    

2016/17 

3189 

Link

    

2015/16 

2507 

Link

    

2014/15 

2525 

Link

    

2013/14 

2789 

Link

    

2012/13 

2627 

Link

    

2011/12 

2636 

Link

    

2010/11 

2655 

Link

    

2009/10 

2791 

Link

    

2008/09 

2839 

Link

    

2007/08 

3027 

Link

    

2006/07 

3184 

Link

    

Routes lost since 2007: 1,214 (-38%) 

Routes lost from 2021/22 to 2022/23: 160 (-8%)

New statistics from the Traffic Commissioners have shown a 38% drop in local bus routes in Scotland between 2007 and 2023, representing 1,214 routes lost and 160 in the past year alone - https://www.gov.uk/government/publications/traffic-commissioners-annual-report-2022-to-2023 

In Glasgow, 11 crucial night bus routes will be axed by First Bus on the 20th August -
https://news.sky.com/story/first-glasgow-to-delay-withdrawal-of-night-bus-services-after-meeting-with-council-12921022  

The Transport (Scotland) Act 2019 gives local transport authorities the power to create regional bus franchises – however, SNP Ministers have failed to activate the secondary legislation required to enable it to take effect, almost four years after the Act was passed.  

https://www.transport.gov.scot/public-transport/buses/transport-scotland-act-2019-and-bus-services/#:~:text=Section%2038%20of%20the%202019,by%20the%20end%20of%202023

List of Glasgow Night Bus Services Affected: